Time-controlled gas-burning apparatus



July 24, 1928.

V. M. TYLER TIME CONTROLLED GAS BURNING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 23, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented July 24, 16928.

UNITED STATES VICTOR M. TYLER, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SENTINEL MFG.

1,678,130 PATENT OFFICE.

00., OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION.

mmn-con'rzaonmn GAS-BURNING APPARATUS.

Application ifled November 1926. Serial No. 150,234.

This invention relates to improvement in time-controlled gas-burning apparatus and particularly to that class of time-controlled gas-burnin apparatus employing a so-called pilot-light for igniting the gas emerging from the burner when it has been automatically turned on by a timing-mechanism.

As heretofore constructed, time-controlled gas-burning apparatus of the class just above described have constituted a grave source of danger to persons and property, since, should the pilot-light become extinguished for any.

reason, the gas emerging from the bugner, when the timing-mechanism acts to automatically turn it on, will not be ignited as in tended, but will flow out into the atmosphere and possibly cause asphyxiation, an explosion, or a fire.

The object of this invention isto provide a time-controlled gas-burning apparatus in which the automatic turning-on of the gas bythe" timing-mechanism proper will be automatically forestalled and prevented, should the pilot-light become extinguished for any reason. 4

' With this object in view, my invention consists in a time-controlled gasurning apparatus characterized by its provision w1th a thermostat mounted in positlon to be affected by the heat developed by a pilot-light and adapted to operate a stop-member located in.

position to engage a moving part of the timing-mechanism proper, so as to automatically suspend the action thereof, should the pilot-light become extinguished.

My invention further consists 1n a tlmecontrolled gas-burning apparatus characterized as above and having certain other details of construction as will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

' Fig. 1 is a view mainly in elevation and shown, I employ a gasburner 5 provided with the usual series of nipples 6 and receiving-its supply of gas from a feed-plpe 7.

v a relatively in which latter I interpose a control-valve 8 adapted to be operated by a timing-mechanism herein generally designated by the numeral 9.

The particular nature of the timingmechanism employed as a feature of my improved apparatus is immaterial, so long as it is adapted to automatically turn on a supply of gas to the burner 5 in the well-known manner. For this reason, the timing-mechanism is not illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, but as shown is of the general type illustrated in United States Patent No. 1,609,432 to John A. Scott, timing mechanism, dated December 7, 1926,

which is adapted to automatically perform The timing-mechanism also embodies a timetrain of standard form, which includes the usual balance-wheel 14, hair-spring 15, and

escapement-lever 16.

Upon a bracket 17, within the casing of 'the timing mechanism and in position to engage the balance-wheel 14, I mount a yielding stop-member 18 in the form of a flat spring which constantly exerts itself to engage the periphery of the balance-wheel 14, so as to check its oscillations and hence completely stop the time-train.

Forthe purpose of normally'holding the stop-member 18)out of engagement with the balance-wheel, so as to permit the time-train to run as intended, I employ a transmitting;

rod 19 reciprocating within a hollow thermostat housing-tube 20 projecting outward from the casing 11 to a position closely adjacent to the burner 5 and directly over a pilot-light jet 21, which latter receives its supply. of gas through a tube 22 connected into the feed-pipe 7 as shown. Within its, outer end the housing-tube 20 encloses a selenium, or other suitable material, having high coefficient of thermal exthermostat 23, consisting of a cylinder of pansion, which, as will hereinafter appear,

acts when heated, through the medium of the transmission-rod 19, to force the stop-member 18 out of engagement with the balancewheel 14.

Under normal conditions, the pilot-light jet will be lighted and the thermostat 23 thereby kept heated, with the result that the stop-member '18 will be held clear of the bailance-wheel 14, so as not to interfere with the running of the time-train, which latter, after the lapse of a predetermined time, will act through the valve 8 to turn on the supply of gas to the burner 5, where, upon emerging from the nipples 6, itwill be ignited by the pilot-light.

If, however, the pilot-light jet 21 should become extinguished for any reason, the thermostat 23 will cool, and hence contract, whereby the stop-member 18 will be permitted to assert itself and engage the periphery-of the balance-wheel 14, and through it completely stop the running of the timetrain, and thus effectively prevent the gas from being turned on and its ultimate escape into the. atmosphere. j Re-lighting the pilotlight jet will serve to heat the thermostat 23 and positively move the yielding stopmember 18 out of engagement with the balance-wheel of the time-train, which is then free to resume its operation.

It will be apparent that the type of thermostat employed may Vary widely and, therefore, I wish to have it understood that I do not limit myself to the type shown.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Fig. 3, I employ a transmittingmember in the form bf a flexible wire 24, which is provided at one end with a thrusthead '24? and at its opposite end engages the thermostat 23. A flexible housing-tube 25 encases the wire 24 and is adapted to' be flexed with it, as may be required by the exigencies of installation. /1

I claim:

1. In a time-controlled gas-burning apparatus, the combination with a gas-burner; ofa pilot-light jet therefor; a timing-mechanism constructed and arranged to automatically turn on the supply of gas to the said burner; a yielding stop-member exerting a constant effort to engage a running part of the said timing-mechanism; and a thermo stat constructed and arranged to normally hold the said stop-member out of engagement with the timing-mechanism and located adjacent to the said pilot-light jet,

so as to be aifected by the heat developed thereby, whereby, when the pilot-light becomes extinguished, the automatic turningon of the gas by the said timing-mechanism will be forestalled and prevented.

2. In a time-controlled gas-burning apparatus, the combination with a gas-burner; of a pilot-light jet therefor; a timing mechanism constructed and arranged to automatically turn on the supply of gas to the said burner; a stop-member normally urged into engagement with a running part of the said timing-mechanism; and a thermostat located adjacent to the said pilot-light jet and constructed and arranged to hold the said stopmember out of engagement with the said timing-mechanism when the said pilot-light jet is lighted; whereby, when the pilot-light jet becomes extinguished, the automatic turning-on of the gas by the said timing-mechanism will be forestalled and prevented.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

VICTOR M. TYLER. 

